Smith Point Hawk Watch is located in Chambers County, Texas. The count is
conducted from a watchtower situated in the Candy Abshier Wildlife
Management Area. From I-10 take Hwy. 61 south (exit 512 from W, exit 513
from E) to FM 562. Follow 562 approximately 20 miles into Smith Point.
Hawk Watch signs are posted and will lead you to the watch tower.

Totals for 29 September 1998/ Season Totals

Turkey Vulture   5/  10
Black Vulture   2/  11
Osprey   9/  35
Swallow-tailed Kite   0/  59
White-tailed Kite   3/  22
Mississippi Kite   20/  2286
Northern Harrier   6/  111
Sharp-shinned Hawk   161/  2111
Cooper's Hawk   64/  493
Unid. Accipiter   2/  125
Red-shouldered Hawk   3/  35
Broad-winged Hawk   2827/  10372
Swainson's Hawk   0/  9
Red-tailed Hawk   1/  11
Unid. Buteo   0/  17
American Kestrel   68/  604
Merlin   1/  17
Peregrine Falcon   11/  43
Unid. Falcon   0/  10
Crested Caracara   0/  1
Unid. Raptor   0/  33
--------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTALS   3,182/ 16,421

Dear Hawk Watch net-izens,

        The weather today was hot and humid as usual with a North wind shifting
to the Southwest by counts end.
There was nary a cloud to be seen on the hazy blue-white horizon making
the scanning quite the challenge.  However, we did manage to scrounge up
a few birds through the day.
        Today was our highest total of birds yet with a wonderfully diverse
showing: 13 species.  The kettle of 1500 Broad-wings was very exciting
for us watchers off of the Broad-Wing Superhighway.  Our ultrahigh birds
made the supine position popular on the tower today; this was where most
of our Peregrines were spotted.

        Thank you's are in order for the Craig Damon for bringing the poppy seed
bagels- they're addictive you know.  Also thanks to Dick Benoit for the
many hours put in scanning, and helping the visitors.

        Did I mention that there are no mosquitos on the tower?  It is downright
pleasant up there looking over the bay at the Magnificent Frigatebirds,
Brown Pelicans, Hundreds of Ibis,Terns, Gulls, Spoonbills,etc... and then
turning around 180 degrees you have the amazing raptor flight, not to
mention the lesser neotropicals passing through.  Well, I just thought I
would paint a little picture for those of you who haven't come out yet.
The Hawks are best viewed around 9:30 AM.  We look forward to meeting
you.

May the Force be with you,   -richard

Rebecca Smith & Richard Gibbons, Smith Point Hawk Watchers for the
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory http://www.nol.net/~criley
SPHW is sponsored by GCBO, Ornithology Group-ONC, TPWD, HawkWatch Int'l.,
and the Exxon Baytown
Use of computer provided by Tx PIF, TPWD, and Compaq Computer Corp

Rebecca Smith & Richard Gibbons, Smith Point Hawk Watchers for the
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory http://www.nol.net/~criley
SPHW is sponsored by GCBO, Ornithology Group-ONC, TPWD, HawkWatch Int'l.,
and the Exxon Baytown
Use of computer provided by Tx PIF, TPWD, and Compaq Computer Corp

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